ACQUISITIONDEVELOPMENT OF EQUIPMENT FOR MICROWAVE SINTERING INSITU CHARACTERIZATION

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ACQUISITION/DEVELOPMENT OF EQUIPMENT FOR
MICROWAVE SINTERING IN-SITU CHARACTERIZATION
Eugene Olevsky and Ronald Kline, San Diego State
University, DMR-0315290
A unique experimental setup for microwave
sintering online measurements has been developed.
The computer-controlled Microwave Sintering
System VIS-300-0a has been combined with a
Confocal Fabry-Perot Interferometer and Yag Laser
to enable the in-sintering ultrasonic
measurements of the specific surface area
evolution. In addition, the microwave system has
been combined with an OFV Modular Laser
Vibrometer to enable the in-sintering optical
dilatometry. The developed experimental approach
renders advanced processing control, which is
important in the fabrication of
functionally-graded powder composites. This
combination of both dilatometry and in-situ
ultrasonic evaluation opens extraordinary
opportunities for full-fledged microwave
sintering characterization.
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ACQUISITION/DEVELOPMENT OF EQUIPMENT FOR
MICROWAVE SINTERING IN-SITU CHARACTERIZATION
Eugene Olevsky and Ronald Kline, San Diego State
University, DMR-0315290
The project contributes to the development of the
Joint Doctoral Program between San Diego State
University and University of California,San
Diego. The acquired equipment contributes to the
research programs of multiple SDSU faculty
members. The microwave sintering furnace enables
sintering under protective atmospheres within
temperature ranges, which are not available in
using any other equipment of the SDSU College of
Engineering. The microwave furnace has been
already successfully employed for
high-temperature sintering of ceramic
functionally-graded composites. The project also
included the participation of high-school
students in the framework of the SDSU Upward
Bound Program. The PI and the involved in the
project graduate students mentored high-school
students considering future college degrees in
Mechanical Engineering.